6 Words About Vampires

As a writer, I love words. As a vampire fan, I write about vampires. It seems natural to combine it all into one post: I bring you words about vampires.


[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELiMNHVgB5w?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Sanguisuge (n) is a new word to me. It means bloodsucker, or leech. From Latin sanguisuga, from sanguis (“blood”) + sugere (“to suck”). Wikionary says it's obsolete but I think it's due for a comeback.

Related: "Sanguisugent," (adj) blood sucking or blood thirsty.

You may have heard vampires occasionally referred to as revenants. The word was coined in 1814 by Laetitia Matilda Hawkins in Rosanne:

"'Well, but what is it? What do you call it in French?' 'Why, revenant, to be sure. Un revenant.'" (p. 260)

From Greek lamia "female vampire, man-eating monster," literally "swallower, lecher," from laimos "throat, gullet." (Source).

"Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings,
Conquer all mysteries by rule and line,
Empty the haunted air, and gnomèd mine—
Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made
The tender-person'd Lamia melt into a shade."  -John Keats, "Lamia"

 

 

 

1. (adj)  no longer alive but animated by a supernatural force, as a vampire or zombie.

2. (n) undead beings collectively (usually preceded by the)  (Source)

 

The first use of "undead" was c. 1400, but its use as a noun to mean vampires and other creatures dates from 1904. (Source)

 

"It's a reflex. Hear a bell, get food. See an undead, throw a knife. Same thing, really." -Ilona Andrews, Magic Bites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Exsanguinate is one of those words I just really like. I first heard it on the X-Files episode "Eve" and it stuck with me. Exsanguinate is a verb meaning to bleed to death. It can also mean to drain blood or make bloodless, and it was first used around 1800, coming from the Latin exsanguinatus meaning bloodless or deprived of blood (Source).

 

 "My first word for the new year was 'exsanguinate,' This was probably not a good omen." -Charlaine Harris, Dead to the World

 

 

 

 And of course, we can't forget the word that all the others relate to:

 

 

 

The earliest form of the word "vampire" goes back to only 1734, although stories of monsters that rise from the dead and attack the living can be found even in ancient times. The idea of blood-gorged walking corpses goes back at least to the 1100s. There's some debate as to where the word comes from, but it most likely has its roots in the Old Church Slavonic "opiri".  (Source)

"It was too much, the weight of it all was too much. Maybe that was why emotions were deadened in vampires; the alternative was to be overtaken by them, crippled, left stranded and isolated and trapped by unbearable sensation. How could they hunt if they felt sympathy, empathy, love for their prey? How could they—how could she—live with themselves?" Aspasía S. Bissas, Love Lies Bleeding

Yes, that's a quote from my own book (I'm sneaky that way). Want to read more? Download Love Lies Bleeding and my other books, FREE...

Love Lies Bleeding: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
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Tooth & Claw: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Did I miss your favourite word about vampires? Let me know in the comments.

Cheers,
Aspasia S. Bissas

(Originally posted on my website.)

Vampire's Garden: Love-Lies-Bleeding

            

   Photo from http://www.adaptiveseeds.com

 

If you’ve read Love Lies Bleeding, you’ll know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained in botany and herbalism when she was still human, she continues to study plants and have a garden. This post will be the first in a series exploring Mara’s plants.

Are you  interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some vampires…

Please note: Medicinal uses are given for historical interest only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself, or anyone else.

Latin name: Amaranthus caudatus

Common names: Love-Lies-Bleeding, Pendant Amaranth, Tassel Flower, Velvet Flower, Foxtail Amaranth

History: Native to South America, this and other varieties of Amaranthus were grown for their edible, protein-rich seeds. The Aztecs also used it in religious ceremonies, which led to the Spanish conquerors making its cultivation a capital offense (they still never managed to wipe it out). Some varieties were used to make a red dye, and betacyanins, which give Amaranthus their red colour, are still used to produce non-toxic food dyes. Medicinally, it has been used to treat swelling, ulcers, and diarrhea.

Victorian Language of Flowers Meaning: hopeless love or hopelessness

Cultivation: Annual. Easy to grow from seed, Love-Lies-Bleeding prefers full sun and is both drought and moisture tolerant. It grows to be 3 to 8 feet (1 to 2.5 metres) tall. Seeds can be started indoors and transplanted outside after the last frost (start in April to transplant in May). Sow or thin to 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm). Can self sow but generally isn’t weedy.

Uses: Ornamental, cut flowers, edible (seeds and leaves).

Wildlife: Birds love the seeds–leave plants in the garden over winter for the birds.

Mara’s Uses: Following the Doctrine of Signatures, Mara considers Love-Lies-Bleeding to be a potential ingredient in her theoretical blood substitute.

Bonus: Mara’s full name is Amarantha, which shares a root and meaning with Amaranthus: “unwilting” or “unfading.”


Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas

Further Reading

 

 

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If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥


Adaptive Seeds
The Sacramento Bee
Wikipedia
WebMD
Inhabitat
 

Originally posted on my website.

A Vampire's Kindness (Fiction)

Photo by Festina Muhaxheri on Pexels.com

Note to the reader: the following text is transcribed from a document found in the crawlspace of an old row house in Montreal, Quebec. The owner of the building sent it to a local historical association, who are now sharing it in hopes that someone might have more information.

Interview with "Mara," a young woman who claims to be
a vampire 
By J.S., editor at large 
April 5, 1918.

J.S.: Could you please state your name for the record?
M: You can call me Mara.

J.S.: Is that your real name?
M: Real enough. It's the only one I have left.

J.S.: Could you tell me what you said when we met 
earlier tonight?
M (does not reply)

J.S.: When we met, I asked what a young lady was doing 
out alone in the middle of the night. How did you 
respond?
M (smiles): I told you that I am a vampire.

J.S.: A vampire--like Mr. Stoker's Count Dracula?
M: As far as I know, he is fictional. I am not.

J.S.: What would you say to those who don't believe in 
such creatures as vampires?
M: Your lack of belief doesn't make me any less real.

J.S.: How long do you claim to have been a vampire?
M: Most of my life.

J.S.: How long is that?
M: Isn't it impolite to ask a lady her age?

J.S.: Do you drink blood?
M: Of course.

J.S.: Where do you get it?
M: Wherever I can find it.

J.S.: From animals?
M: No.

J.S.: Do you have a reflection?
M (gets up and walks to the lavatory. She stares into 
the mirror over the sink): It would seem so.

J.S.: Can you turn into a bat?
M (does not reply)

J.S.: How many other vampires are there?
M: More than your kind would care to consider.

J.S.: My kind? You mean mankind? Human beings?
M: Yes.

J.S.: Do you pay attention to human events? What do you
think of the Great War?
M: I wish I could be there, in the thick of it.

J.S.: Do you mean as a nurse?
M (laughs)

J.S.: Why do you want to be at the front? Isn't it
dangerous?
M: The danger is why. It's all death and chaos. 
People die, people go missing--no one gives it
a second thought. Vampires do well in times of war.

J.S.: If that is the case, why aren't you there?
M: Someone else is there. He's looking for me. I do
not wish to be found.

J.S.: Who is there?
M: You should worry about the illness instead of
my acquaintances.

J.S.: The illness? Are you referring to the
Spanish Flu? There are rumours of epidemic.
M: The rumours are correct--the influenza is 
spreading rapidly. I can smell it in the air.

J.S.: You can smell it? That must be handy.
M: It helps us to choose.

J.S.: What do you mean by 'choose'?
M: Most of us prefer blood from healthy specimens.

J.S.: And the rest?
M: We find those who don't have long. Some consider it
a kindness.

J.S.: Why are you telling me this?
M (does not reply)

J.S.: I don't have the Flu.
M: No, you have something deeper. In your bones.

J.S.: Oh, really? What does that smell like?
M: Like sour chalk and dry rot.

J.S.: Rot is right. You expect me to believe such 
nonsense?
M: What about that ache that never seems to go away?
It's been getting worse, hasn't it?

J.S. (reluctant to respond)

J.S.: I have an appointment to see a doctor.
M: He won't be able to help you.

J.S.: How do you know?
M: They rarely can.

J.S.: Then what can anyone do for me?
M: I could prescribe you herbs, but they won't help, 
either.

J.S.: A vampire and an apothecary? That is quite the
combination.
M: I learned my trade young and found that it
pays to keep humans healthy.

J.S.: Is that it, then? All you can offer are 
ineffectual balms?
M: I can also offer you a kindness.

J.S.: You mean death.
M: Some prefer it to suffering.

J.S.: What if I refuse?
M: It's your choice. You have time to decide,
but not much.

J.S.: Where are you going?
M: I have other business to attend to. I'll return
in a fortnight. Tell me then what you've decided.

J.S.: Will it hurt?
M: I can make it so it doesn't.

M leaves and I finish recording our exchange.
I don't know why, perhaps for posterity.
I am unsure how to proceed.

Want to read more about Mara? Download my books FREE...

 

Love Lies Bleeding: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books 

Blood Magic: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

Tooth & Claw: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas

World Dracula Day: 5 of the Count's Best Crossovers

Photo via the BBC.

Tuesday is World Dracula Day, when we celebrate the anniversary of the first publication of Bram Stoker's vampire classic Dracula. Over the 123 years he's been with us, The Count has encountered all sorts of other characters, some more memorable than others. Here are some of my favourite Dracula crossovers...

Dracula vs. King Arthur

 

After making a deal with Lucifer to become a vampire, Lucifer then decides to send Dracula back to Arthurian times to take over the world. Hi-jinks ensue over the course of this comic book's four-issue run. It's maybe not the best-executed crossover (Lucifer wants to send Dracula back in time to before vampires existed so the Count can start turning humans and spreading evil-- so why send him back to the time of legendary heroes? Why not to, I don't know, any other time in history that wasn't legendary?), but the concept of Dracula vs. King Arthur is a good one, and Camelot fighting Dracula is a fun idea (Merlin as sinister anti-hero doesn't hurt, either).

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

 

As two of the most popular monsters, it's no surprise that Dracula has faced off against Frankenstein*. In fact, the two have met many times over the years in movies like Dracula vs. Frankenstein and Les expériences érotiques de Frankenstein (ooh la la); pulp novels like Frankenstein Meets Dracula; and comic books, including The Frankenstein-Dracula War and A Story of Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein, which came with a corresponding LP so you could listen to the story as you looked through the book. Whether you root for the undead or the reanimated, these stories have you covered.

*Yes, Frankenstein is the doctor, not the monster. It's been 202 years of people calling the monster Frankenstein-- can we just accept it?

 

Dracula vs. Zorro

 

Zorro and Dracula meet on a ship heading to Europe and become instant enemies. Although it's hate at first sight, the fight doesn't get serious until they meet up in the catacombs of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (as one does). As a fan of both Zorro and the Count I'm not sure who to root for in this mashup, although I am slightly disappointed that (spoiler) Dracula doesn't turn Zorro. Now that would be an interesting story...

 

Dracula vs. Sherlock Holmes

 

I don't know why I was surprised that Dracula has met up with Sherlock Holmes, but he has-- and numerous times, too. I haven't seen or read any of the existing versions (yet), but there's one Dracula/Sherlock crossover I would love to see, and that's one put together by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, creators of the BBC's Sherlock and Dracula (2020). It's true I didn't really enjoy their Dracula miniseries earlier this year, and the last season of Sherlock left a lot to be desired, but if the two of them were inspired and brought their A game, they could make a crossover for the ages with their versions of these characters. Dare we hope?

 

Dracula vs. Batman

 

It's definitely worth seeking out the animated The Batman vs. Dracula if you're a fan of either character. Based on The Batman TV series, the story brings Dracula to Gotham, while also featuring some of the typical characters you'd expect, like Penguin and Joker. The movie touches on the influence of Dracula on Batman, which I appreciate. The animation is fantastic, especially for Dracula and the other vampires. I actually reviewed this movie years ago, if you feel like taking a look (I have since come to appreciate Dracula more as a character). I don't think there are any plans for a sequel, but I would love to see more Dracula-Batman stories.

There are other great Dracula crossovers, but I'm going to save those for another post. In the meantime, which is your favourite (including those not mentioned here)? Who would you like to see Dracula go up against? Share in the comments...

Happy Dracula Day!
Aspasía S. Bissas

Want to read about vampires that aren't Dracula? Download my books FREE...

Love Lies Bleeding: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
Blood Magic: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
Tooth & Claw: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Post originally published on my website: https://aspasiasbissas.com/2020/05/23/world-dracula-day-5-of-the-counts-best-crossovers/

Dracula 2020

Have you had a chance yet to watch the new Netflix/BBC Dracula? I was pretty excited to watch it, especially given the involvement of Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. These two have done some amazing work on shows like Sherlock and Doctor Who (Moffat in particular is responsible for some of the best episodes of Doctor Who, ever, and is the writer of the brilliant episode "Blink," which introduced the nightmare-inducing Weeping Angels).

So, yes, excited for Dracula.

And it was...meh. Some great moments that didn't seem to go anywhere. Weird pacing. Pointless scenes. And I wasn't enthralled by Claes Bang's portrayal of the Count. I mean it was okay, but just okay...much like the rest of the show.

As a reminder of how scary (and fun) Dracula can be, here are some of my favourite portrayals of this most classic of all vampires...

I have to start with the original, Stoker's Count. Although Stoker wasn't the first to write about vampires, his character (and book) started an ongoing obsession with vampires, inspiring countless variations over the decades. Many of what we now consider essential characteristics of vampires: aversion to sunlight and garlic, lack of reflection, supernatural powers, vulnerable to a stake through the heart-- all came from Dracula. A few have been discarded over the years too-- how many modern vampires have hairy palms or need to keep the soil of their homeland handy? If you're a vampire fan and you haven't read Dracula yet--drop everything and get yourself a copy.



Nosferatu is an early, unauthorized, movie based on Dracula. The names were changed (Dracula became Count Orlok, for example) but that wasn't enough to keep Stoker's widow from suing (and eventually giving up after the film company went bankrupt and copies of the movie got out anyway). You can't beat Nosferatu, or Max Schreck's Count, for atmosphere, dramatic visuals, and general creepiness.

Count Orlok, Nosferatu

Although Bela Lugosi may be the definitive Count Dracula (and no one is disputing that he did a great job), Christopher Lee gets my vote for best film Dracula. Imposing and intense, it's hard not to agree that Lee is pretty awesome in this role (I'm not sure he really needs hypnotic powers-- he'd do fine all on his own).



I have to admit I'm not a fan of Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (although after watching Gatiss and Moffat's version, Coppola's ranks a little higher now), but I do enjoy Gary Oldman's performance in it. He seems to embrace the character, especially when he surreptitiously licks Harker's bloody razor, which is my favourite moment of the entire film:




Here's the entire scene if you want some context:



One of my absolute favourite portrayals of Dracula is in Buffy in the episode "Buffy vs. Dracula." It's a great episode overall (who doesn't love Xander as Renfield?) and Rudolf Martin does a fantastic job as Dracula. Aside from the show, Dracula makes an appearance in several Buffyverse comic books (scroll down the link to "Appearances" for the full list). It's well worth tracking them down (if for no other reason than to find out whether Spike ever gets the eleven pounds Dracula owes him).





And lastly (on what is by no means a comprehensive list), what's not to like about Community's Troy attempting to put together a cool Halloween costume by becoming a "sexy Dracula"? ;)



What did you think of Netflix's Dracula? Who's your favourite version of the Count?  Share in the comments...

Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas

[Reblogged from AspasiaSBissas.com]

Sale!

Get all three for only $1.50! Click to buy now…

Another year has gone by and what better way to celebrate than with books? Smashwords’ end-of-year sale starts 25 December 2019 and runs through 1 January 2020.

Get Love Lies Bleeding for only $1.50!

Get Tooth & Claw and Blood Magic FREE!

 

Avoid family arguments– curl up with some hot chocolate or eggnog and a good book or three. ‘Tis the season!

Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas

Love Lies Bleeding

Find out more here.

Don't forget to download your free copies of Tooth & Claw: A dark fantasy story about memory and delusion, violence and consequences--inspired by real events in Belle Époque France; and Blood Magic: Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution.